You may have noticed we carry wire guards in the Cable Raceway section of the site. So how is a wire guard different than your standard cable channel? Well, the key here is application. Wire guards are typically used for a specific purpose — they're intended to be installed vertically; and are constructed of high impact PVC to withstand outdoor elements. They're great for electrical and communications wiring. So, what could they be used for?
Utility poles are the answer. You’ll often see these running up a power or telephone pole, protecting the cables that run alongside the pole's length, from top to bottom. They resist sunlight, moisture, chemicals, and damage from pests and weather. There are a few different options, so read on to find out what makes one wire guard different from another.
FLANGED VS UNFLANGED
You'll notice the wire guards we stock at CableOrganizer® come in two styles: flanged and standard (unflanged). The difference is the standard version features a U-shaped cross section, while the flanged version has a small lip that extends out from the edge on either side, which lays flat against the installation surface. This lip has holes pre-drilled at intervals to allow the wire guards to be attached directly to the pole. With the standard versions, it's a bit trickier. You can either use clamps — which basically work the same as the flange — or you can use straps that wrap around the entire pole tightly to keep the wire guard in place.
BELLED END
Another feature available on some wire guards is the "belled end". This means the raceway flares out a bit at the end. The purpose of this is so when two raceways connect, one can overlap another, which covers the cable run more completely within than simply lining up two of the guards against each other. Regulations often require high voltage cables be "completely enclosed" — and using a belled end meets this standard.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
So, you know about flanged and standard options; and what a belled end is for. But what other variables are there to consider when choosing a wire guard? Quite a few, as it turns out.
Size is a concern — you'll need to know how long your wire guard should be, as well as how wide you want your channel to be, so it can handle all the cables you're going to run through it. The channels we stock come in either 8-foot lengths or 5-foot lengths — and can be cut to size with a handsaw easily. The inner diameters of the channels range from 1/2" wide to 4" wide, so make sure your cable or cable bundles will fit by measuring the diameter before you order.
Color is another choice you have, though it's slightly less important. Wire guards are available in a broad range of colors, though most of them are neutral, as you'd expect from something that is going to be seen by lots of people in a public place. They are available in shades like Black, Beige, Brown, Ivory, Gray, Light Gray, Red, Redwood, and White.
Shop here for wire guards at CableOrganizer®.
